Harbaughs laud peaceful 49ers-Ravens joint practice

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- An upbeat Jim Harbaugh teased the media after Saturday's joint practices between his 49ers and the host Baltimore Ravens. It was a "sad day," he figured, for those looking to report on fights.

Indeed, no brawls erupted on the field, nor elsewhere in the Ravens facility that the clubs are sharing through Monday.

"It's amazing how respectful they were, having played a game Thursday and to come out here two days later against each other," said Jack Harbaugh, the family patriarch who watched Jim's 49ers face off once again against older brother Jim's Ravens.

No injuries occurred, either, although the 49ers did announce before practice they've lost Chuck Jacobs, a dark horse candidate at receiver, to a season-ending knee injury from Thursday's 23-3 exhibition-opening loss.

The 49ers practiced without eight would-be starters, including right guard Alex Boone, who remains in a contract holdout.

"Their tongues are dragging a little bit, but it was a good day for both teams," Jim Harbaugh said.

One of the hardest working (and catch-happy) players was 49ers wideout Anquan Boldin, who returned to the Ravens facility for the first time since being traded in March 2013.

The sight of more 49ers-Ravens action was somewhat surreal. Here, on three practice fields, were teams that faced off only 18 months ago for the Super Bowl XLVII trophy that's now on display in the Ravens' decadent lobby.

They also played only two days earlier in a lopsided exhibition, setting up what John Harbaugh called "unchartered water" with their postgame joint practices.

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John Harbaugh chastised the media prior to Saturday's afternoon session, demanding "a little self-check" in what they report.

No fights didn't mean no flare-ups. The 49ers' Will Tukuafu, Aaron Lynch and Quinton Patton each had an incident where they exchanged words with a Ravens opponent after a play ended.

"The had great intent and great practice," Jack Harbaugh said. "To go about it so respectful of each other, it speaks highly of the players and the teams."

While Jim Harbaugh oversaw the 49ers offense against the Ravens defense on one field, John Harbaugh did the same on the neighboring field with the vice versa units. The brothers did stand side-by-side during some special-teams drills, with Jim in his typical attire (black sweatshirt, khaki pants, black cleats) and John in active wear (grey T-shirt, black shorts, black sneakers).

Boldin enjoyed a barbecue Friday night with former neighbors, many of whom he hadn't seen since he got shipped to the 49ers. "It's just been cool to come back and have this happen," Boldin said.

John Harbaugh called Boldin's 2013 departure "very painful" and sarcastically said he "still blames" general manager Ozzie Newsome for the financially driven trade. "We tried like crazy to keep Anquan but we were fighting against a number," Harbaugh said of Boldin's $6 million salary.

In his first game action since the Super Bowl, cornerback Chris Culliver emerged healthy, and his surgically repaired knee got tested, too. "What's (Steve) Smith's number, 89? He tried to chop me," Culliver said. —... I don't take it as a cheap shot. It's just football."

Multiple teams reportedly are preparing to approach the 49ers to gauge trade interest for Boone, according to ESPN.com.

Tight end Vance McDonald observed but did not practice, apparently because of an undisclosed minor injury.

Only five defensive linemen practiced, and one of those missing was defensive tackle Lawrence Okoye (leg).

Making their practice debuts were wideouts L'Damian Washington and Lance Lewis, the latter of whom signed earlier in the day. Lewis played last season with Washington, mostly on the practice squad, and he was cut in May by Dallas.